In February 1947, Randal Kelly, a native of County Clare,  Ireland, was hired as a bartender at 500 Westport Road, an establishment then called Westport Inn  and owned by three retired Kansas City, Missouri police captains, Brock, Ghent and Zahner.  Randal's witty sense of humor, unpretentious attitude and giving hand won him great popularity and it wasn't long before people were calling the place Kelly's. Randal  was  partners with Art Brock until  Art died in 1977.  In  June  of that year, the bar was officially named Kelly's Westport Inn.  Randal passed away in 1988 and two of his sons, Kyle and Pat, now run the joint. 

The building that Kelly’s occupies is said to be the oldest in Kansas City. Built in 1850, it has housed a wide range of businesses ,most notably in the 19th century, the building was a provisioning and outfitting operation of Albert Boone, a grandson of Daniel Boone.  There, covered wagons stopped to stock up before the long trek out West along the Santa Fe, California  and Oregon trails. In honor of its rich and colorful past, the building was designated a national historic landmark in 1959.

Today, family-owned and operated, Kelly's Westport Inn is a must see in Kansas City.  With a diverse crowd, live music, a colorful history, weekday specials and always someone with a good story, Kelly's is an Irish pub like no other!